Small Apartment DIY: Minimalist Tree Slice Coffee Table

Shopping for a coffee table? Dress your space with a coffee table that perfectly complements your minimalist aesthetics! This coffee table is not only simple yet eye-catching, it’s surprisingly easy to make by hand!

Working with this table won’t take much time either. It’s a small project that you can complete in a few hours! Depending on the size of the wood slab, you can use this table as a coffee table or as a side table. The size is perfect for a small apartment too! Are you ready to make an awesome coffee table on your own? Let’s get started!

You will need:

TIPS: Try hunting for tree or log slices at your local lumberyards. Or if a neighbor decided to cut a tree, you can also ask a log slice, whichever works for you!

As for the hairpin legs, you can score these on Amazon, eBay, and Etsy! Depending on the measurements of the hairpin legs, you can use them to make a low or a high coffee table.

Step 1: Prep the Wood

Using a wood plane, trim the log slice to make an even surface. Once the surface of the log slice is level enough, use the hand sander to sand the log slice until nice and smooth. No need to sand down the sides of the log slice. Leave the bark untouched to maintain the table’s rustic appearance.

Step 2: Treating the Wood

After prepping the log slice, decide if you’d like to treat the tree log or leave the wood untouched. In the tutorial, the wood was kept bare. If you’re going for the bare, natural finish, know that you can’t place anything too wet or too hot on the untreated wood. Untreated wood is sensitive to moisture and high heat.

Photo Credit: burkatron.com

For a lifeproof coffee table, I highly suggest treating the wood. You can use wood stain, spray sealer or any type of wood preservative to extend the life of the wood. Treating the wooden surface prolongs the life of the table, making the furniture resistant to stains and high heat.

Just use the product according to the manufacturer’s instruction and leave the log slice to dry completely. No need to treat the underside of the wood slice.

Step 3: Attach the Hairpin Legs

Once the treated wood is ready, you can start attaching the hairpin legs. Flip the log slice and drill holes to each side. You need precise measurements so the finished table will not wobble and the surface area is level.

Photo Credit: burkatron.com

Attach and secure each hairpin leg using a screwdriver. After installing the hairpin legs, flip the coffee table, check its stability. Once satisfied, the table is ready to use!

… And there you go, you just made something functional and beautiful out of ordinary materials! Loved this small apartment tutorial? Subscribe to our design course to receive helpful interior design resources for FREE!

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It's Time To Design The Home Of Your Dreams!

Did you ever dream of redesigning your home but felt overwhelmed by the process? We can help! Click below to Access the Space Optimized Free Course “Learning To Design The Home of Your Dreams!” and get started today!